Bridgewater State Universityhttp://www.bridgew.edu
enCelebrating the Journeyhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/celebrating-journey
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Event Coverage</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-27T00:00:00-04:00">March 27, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Celebrating Our Journey” was the theme of a gala dinner sponsored by the Afro-American Alumni Association at its 25th anniversary celebration, held in the Campus Center Ballroom.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Established in 1990, the association’s membership has grown to more than 700 alumni, and the event took time to honor those who have helped along the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>Dr. Brenda Molife</strong>, vice president for university advancement, was a featured speaker at the anniversary celebration; she brought the greetings of the university to the occasion, while Angel Figueroa, ’08, introduced the program.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Among the highlights was the presentation of the 2015 Afro-American Achievement Award to <strong>Dorie Aucoin</strong>, ’76, G ’78, who is currently the assistant director of the university’s Academic Achievement Center.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Dorie’s main mission over the past four decades at Bridgewater has been working with students who had to overcome unique obstacles to succeed in college,” noted the script accompanying her award. “Her titles have changed over the years, as have the names of the programs and the centers with which she has been affiliated. But one thing hasn’t changed, her belief that a college education should be open to all. As she often says, “Working with students of color and bi-lingual students has been my calling.“</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Two musical selections were performed by Professor Emerita of Music Henry Santos, who was a special guest of honor. A renowned pianist and composer who spent more than 30 years on the faculty at BSU, Professor Santos was introduced by Louis M. Ricciardi, ’81, former chairman of the board of trustees who has been a piano student of Professor Santos for the past seven years.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The anniversary was another milestone on a path that can be traced back to 1968, when <strong>Paul Gaines</strong>, G ’68, was appointed Bridgewater State’s first minority affairs director. The following year, he founded the Organization of Afro-American Students and in 1990, the Afro-American Alumni Association was officially formed.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">During the Anniversary Celebration, Mrs. AuCoin paid tribute to Mr. Paul Gaines, who, in 1968 began actively recruiting students of color into the college. &nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">"Many of the alumni here tonight benefitted from Mr. Gaines' steady guidance at a time when social acceptance was uncertain,” she said. “We owe him our gratitude for paving the way to making tonight possible; when so many alums can come back to celebrate so many accomplishments."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>Michael Henry</strong>, ’92, president of the association, said the event was meant to celebrate the past as well as a future of continued success.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“It’s an exciting time for Afro-American alumni as we continue to grow and build upon our foundation,” he told the hundreds gathered. “We are privileged to have an opportunity to celebrate this wonderful event with you.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">A total of 22 Afro-American Alumni Association members were presented with Founder Awards, and the list includes: <strong>Domingo Amado Jr.</strong>, ’85, G ’88; <strong>Curtis Bailey</strong>, ’87; <strong>Harriet Beasley</strong>, ’79; <strong>Josephine Bernard</strong>, ’71; <strong>Paul Bonitto</strong>, ’87; <strong>James Lrkin Caines</strong>, ’77; <strong>Pamela Crudup-Veiga</strong>, ’73; <strong>Whitfield Daley</strong>, ;77; <strong>Paul Dobson</strong>, ’84; <strong>Jeanne Oliver Foster</strong>, ’77; <strong>W. Bruce Gaines</strong>, ’73, G ’77; <strong>Antonio Gonsalves</strong>, ’86; <strong>Barbara Jackson</strong>, ’80; <strong>Eyvonne King</strong>, ’79; <strong>Darryl McArthur</strong>, ’80; <strong>Nanzetta Merriman</strong>, ’78; <strong>Alva Mitchum</strong>, ’70; <strong>Frances Pina Watson</strong>, ’98, G ’03; <strong>Stephen Prophet</strong>, ’76; <strong>Gloria Stanton</strong>, ’74, G ’00; <strong>Jacquelyn Ware Tucker</strong>, ’90; and <strong>Vanessa Whittington-Brown</strong>, ’82.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Entertainment for the celebration included a student dance and spoken word performances; the latter by <strong>Marvin Ezhan</strong> and <strong>Jamaal Rodney Bonnette</strong>, both members of the class of 2015. &nbsp;(Story and photos by David K. Wilson, ’71; additional photos by Steve Rowell, University News)</span><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div></div></div><div class="field-collection-container clearfix"><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-images field-type-field-collection field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Images:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Dorie Aucoin is flanked by Curtis Bailey, left, and Lenny McLean</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/Afro-AmMarch212015dori.jpg" width="3304" height="2502" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Attendees posed for a group photo near the end of the event</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/_DSC7380.jpg" width="2710" height="1806" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 14:54:42 +0000jwinters8266 at http://www.bridgew.edu175th Celebration Underwayhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/175th-celebration-underway
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-25T00:00:00-04:00">March 25, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Begun in 1840 as one of the nation's first teacher training schools, Bridgewater has evolved over time into a full-fledged institution preparing students for a variety of careers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Now, as it marks the 175th anniversary of its founding, the institution is recalling its unique story and the many people that helped shape it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Over the next seven months, a series of special events is planned; a celebration officials hope will remind current-day students, staff, and alumni of the university's rich history and traditions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The 175th observance kicked off Thursday, March 26, with a national academic conference, "The Arc of Teacher Education." About 200 educators and others took part in the inter-disciplinary event, which explored the history and varied facets of teacher preparation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">"It's a time for us to pause for a moment and celebrate our past - all the way back to 1840, but certainly the last 15 years – and all the remarkable accomplishments," said <strong>Dr. Anna Bradfield</strong>, BSU's executive director for university initiatives. Among the more recent achievements, she cited the university's progress in raising graduation rates and closing the achievement gap.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Bradfield said the coincidence of the 175th celebration and the approaching inauguration of a new president - <strong>Frederick W. Clark Jr.</strong> - makes this "a really pivotal moment in our history."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">While noting the strides BSU has made under retiring President <strong>Dana Mohler-Faria</strong> and his predecessor, Adrian Tinsley, Dr. Bradfield said Mr. Clark is focused on the future and "how we can grow and change."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The anniversary celebration continues on April 6 in the Horace Mann Auditorium when President Mohler-Faria, Mr. Clark, and former President Tinsley join in a "Presidential Fireside Chat, concerning BSU's past, present, and future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">That event, like the opening conference, will feature an appearance by Horace Mann, himself - played by a re-enactor. It was under the legendary education reformer's leadership that Massachusetts established its first normal, or teacher training schools, including the one in Bridgewater.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">On May 20, during commencement week, the university plans a gala event to celebrate the 175th and Dr. Mohler-Faria's presidency. The anniversary will also be a theme during commencement itself, on May 16.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The observance continues June 17 with a "Salute to Justice" event at which Dr. Mohler-Faria and Mr. Clark will reaffirm the university's historic commitment to fairness, equality, and equal opportunity.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Later that month, on June 23, the anniversary will be a prominent theme at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for BSU's newly-opened Cape Cod facility in Yarmouth.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The celebration then heads into the fall, with the 175th a key theme of the inauguration ceremony for President-Elect Clark and the student convocation, to be held concurrently on Sept. 1. On Sept. 9, the actual anniversary date, a campus-wide party is planned on the Quad that will include a large birthday cake and the sealing of a time capsule.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The observance will close on Homecoming Weekend in October, which will feature a distinctive 175th anniversary theme.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">While the key events are set, Dr. Bradfield said she would welcome hearing from any campus organizations and clubs that feel inspired to plan their own 175th festivities.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">"It's just a time to have a party," she said. (University News)</span></p></div></div></div>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 01:59:32 +0000jwinters8261 at http://www.bridgew.eduExpanding Horizonshttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/expanding-horizons
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-23T00:00:00-04:00">March 23, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">It’s the perfect time to engage in some cultural exploration.</span></p><p>Both Latin American and Caribbean Studies Carnival Week and Africa Awareness Week are underway, offering members of the BSU community a chance to learn more about these cultures.</p><p>Carnival Week 2015, sponsored by the English Department and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program, will feature a host of speakers; a documentary called The Shadow of Color, about issues of race in Curaçao; and a performance of Afro-Puerto Rican music. Documentarian Angela Roe will also be available to discuss race relations and racial ideology, expanding on the themes of her film. See the attached flier for a full list of events.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aMnZlPSYo8">See a preview of The Shadow of Color.</a></strong></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">For many, Americans, it is a distant, exotic, and unknowable place. But Africa is actually an integral part of our lives. That’s the theme of this year’s Africa Awareness Week at BSU.</span></p><p>“People tend to think of Africa as extremely foreign, untouchable, and troubled,” said <strong>Dr. Norma J. Anderson</strong>, Africa Studies Program coordinator and an assistant professor of sociology. “But through people coming and going, through the products we use, and culture, we really do interact with the continent on a daily basis.”</p><p>Organized by the African Studies Program, the celebration began as Africa Day in 2007 and since 2008 has occupied a full week. Two driving forces are anthropology professors <strong>Sandra Faiman-Silva</strong>, who despite her recent retirement helped plan the 2015 program, and <strong>Louise Badiane</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p>This year’s events range from a performance by a Rwandan dance troupe to a talk by BSU senior Queen Butahe, who wrote a book on her experiences as a Tanzanian native who came to the United States.</p><p>&nbsp;“When people think about Africa, it is mostly about negative things like war, famine, dictatorship,” said Dr. Anderson. “We really attempt to help people see a more positive side of this very diverse continent.”</p><p>More information about Africa Awareness Week is available <strong><a href="https://ems.bridgew.edu/MasterCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?data=hHr80o3M7J68Ht1nUyj%2fKCs7%2fakexvTI2mwaFSmyYrcbv51vnbW3gcq3y4nyBqq%2b">here</a></strong>. (University News; file photos)</p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-download-file field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Download file:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/Carnival%20Week%20poster%2031x42%20%282%29.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=945035">Carnival Week poster 31x42 (2).pdf</a></span></div></div></div>Mon, 23 Mar 2015 15:24:06 +0000jwinters8256 at http://www.bridgew.eduProgress Grantedhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/progress-granted
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">March 20, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Four students who are taking part in a special program that will help train the math and science teachers of tomorrow were hosted by President Dana Mohler-Faria.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>Katie Almeda</strong>, <strong>Sarah Gendron</strong>, <strong>Sarah Seltzer</strong> and <strong>Arianna Jefferson</strong> are participating in the Southeast Massachusetts Science Teacher Scholars Program. All science majors, they served at K-12 educational camps and programs at Massasoit Community College, Hanscom Air Force Base, and here at Bridgewater. The summer internships marked the first phase of the five-year, $1.45 million initiative, which is funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The program encourages talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students to pursue teaching careers in elementary and secondary schools, addressing the critical local need for K-12 teachers in those fields. The program &nbsp;offers scholarships, internships and a teacher-mentor to support and prepare students majoring in the sciences for a career in teaching. Students are eligible to apply for scholarships valued at $10,000 to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books for their last two academic years prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree, and licensure to teach elementary or secondary education.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">In return, the participating students agree to work as science teachers in public schools in what are considered “high-needs” districts. They include Brockton, Fall River, Randolph and Freetown-Lakeville.</span></p><p><em><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">(For a full story on the program, see the forthcoming spring issue of </span></em><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Bridgewater</span><em><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"> magazine.)</span></em></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“The main goal of the whole grant for all the Noyce programs is to put more talented scientists in the K-12 classrooms,” said<strong> Dr. Jeff Williams</strong>, BSU physics professor and co-investigator of the program with <strong>Dr. Nicole Glen</strong>, assistant professor of elementary and early childhood education.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">According to a 2007 report from the National Research Council, elementary students understand science more effectively when taught by teachers who have adequate knowledge of the field. Yet, the National Science Board reported in 2010, more than half of fifth-grade students in the U.S. are being taught science by teachers who do not hold a science or science education degree. Specifically in Massachusetts, 55 percent of schools report a need for more qualified, licensed science teachers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The program, in partnership with Massasoit Community College, has been four years in the making. Drs Williams and Glen had applied three times for the grant before seeing their program greenlighted.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“High-needs districts,” generally, have high teacher turnover rates because not all teachers choose to work in urban environments. As a result, such districts tend to lose high-quality teachers more easily than suburban schools.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“But since our scholarship program is targeted to students who do have high GPAs and who are really good students, the goal is to put those good science students into these districts with kids who need good teachers and to help mentor them so they will stay in those districts even when some of their colleagues might leave for other jobs in perhaps more suburban schools,” Dr. Glen said. (Photos by Nicholas Allende)</span></p></div></div></div><div class="field-collection-container clearfix"><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-images field-type-field-collection field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Images:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Left to right, Katie Almeda, Sarah Gendron, Sarah Seltzer and Arianna Jefferson</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/cropped_DSC5095.jpg" width="6230" height="4692" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:45:08 +0000jwinters8251 at http://www.bridgew.eduSpreading the Wordhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/spreading-word
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">March 20, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>Dr. Jonghyun Lee</strong>, assistant professor in the School of Social Work, has been spreading the word, in print and on the air, about two issues that affect his fellow Koreans.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">His research on hwabyung and depression among Korean immigrants was published by Social Work in Mental Health. Hwabyung is a Korean word literally meaning, “fire illness.” The illness is an indigenous psychiatric illness commonly found among Koreans. It is believed that chronic stress can cause the onset of the illness, which is manifested mainly through somatic symptoms.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">An abstract of the article is available<strong> <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15332985.2013.812538#abstract">here</a>, </strong>or access the full text below.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Lee also took to the airways to discuss his work in this area. The interview was carried by the only English-speaking radio station in Busan, South Korea’s second largest city. During the morning drive show called “Morning Wave in Busan,” Dr. Lee expounded on his research.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The entire show, including Dr. Lee’s segment, can be heard <strong><a href="http://www.befm.or.kr/program/morning/ProgramAction.do?cmd=PlayListMgr&amp;prgmId=morning&amp;bbsId=&amp;tab=PRGM_SCRIPT&amp;nowPage=2">here</a></strong>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Lastly, Dr. Lee took up another topic during winter break, when he was invited to give a lecture at East China Normal University in Shanghai. He discussed the challenges faced by migrant workers and their families in China and the ways social workers can help.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“It was an extremely fun and productive trip,” he said. (Story by John Winters, G ’11; photo by Steve Rowell, University News)</span></p><p></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-download-file field-type-file field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Download file:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="application/pdf" src="/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" /> <a href="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/Hwabyung%20and%20Depressive%20Symptoms.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=198284">Hwabyung and Depressive Symptoms.pdf</a></span></div></div></div>Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:11:01 +0000jwinters8236 at http://www.bridgew.eduA Step Aheadhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/step-ahead-0
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-20T00:00:00-04:00">March 20, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">In four decades,&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Donna A. Dragon</strong>&nbsp;has helped forge an innovative approach to teaching and learning through movement and dance. Now that effort is gaining the assistant professor some prominent recognition.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The National Dance Education Organization recently honored Dr. Dragon with its 2014 Outstanding Dance Educator Award, citing her leadership in developing curriculum that incorporates somatics – which integrates body, mind, spirit, and emotions – into teaching dance and other disciplines.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The Sagamore Beach resident, who joined BSU last year as dance education specialist, said she was “elated, surprised, and really honored” when she learned of the award, noting that past recipients have included leading figures in the field.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“It is quite a feather in our cap to have her on our faculty,” said&nbsp;<strong>Dr. Nancy Moses</strong>, professor and chairperson of BSU's Theater and Dance Department.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Prior to joining BSU, Dr. Dragon taught at several universities and at two schools that she also owned. She has also had a somatic movement therapy private practice.</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“I really believe that every student should have the opportunity to experience her or his living, breathing body as a way of learning and knowing, expressing and engaging in the world,” she said. “So I offer approaches that engage the body in every course I teach.”</span></p><p style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 20.0063037872314px;"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Clearly, that’s a winning philosophy. (University News)</span></p></div></div></div>Fri, 20 Mar 2015 13:40:00 +0000jwinters8231 at http://www.bridgew.eduListening Inhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/listening
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-13T00:00:00-04:00">March 13, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">More than a dozen lawmakers from across the commonwealth spent a day learning about Southeastern Massachusetts and the concerns of its residents.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Such </span><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"></span><a href="https://malegislature.gov/CC/News" style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Commonwealth Conversations,”</a><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"> organized by the senate leadership, have been held across the state over the past month. The bipartisan group hopes the listening tour promotes civic engagement while allowing senators to hear firsthand about issues affecting different parts of the state.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Senate President Stan Rosenberg of Amherst, and Sen. Marc Pacheco of Taunton, led the forum, greeting a near-capacity Rondileau Campus Center ballroom. Each resident seeking to address the panel was given two minutes to present his or her concerns to the lawmakers. Among the many topics and concerns brought forth were the proposed </span><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"></span><a href="http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/southcoastrail/Home.aspx" style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">South Coast Rail</a><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">, charter schools and regulations concerning home construction.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The forum capped a long day for the senators. They began with breakfast at BSU, before boarding buses and touring area cities, New Bedford, Fall River, Attleboro and Taunton.</span></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPMNUR9tUrg"><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Watch the full forum here.</span></a></strong></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">They returned to Bridgewater for dinner and a presentation by university President </span><strong style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dana Mohler-Faria</strong><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">. After praising the efforts, on many fronts, of the state colleges and universities, the president said, “We need to do a better job. We need to be more focused regionally.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Mohler-Faria cited both social and economic areas where institutions of higher-education could play an increased role, adding it won’t happen without planning.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“What are the resources needed and where do they need to be targeted?” the president said. “We need to have that dialogue.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">During his talk, the president told the senators about BSU’s record of recent successes, including increased retention and graduation rates (particularly among students of color). However, his overall message concerned the potential embodied in the collaboration between state government and public colleges and universities.(Story by John Winters, photo by Nicholas Allende, University News; video courtesy of TVS and Matt DeGrechie)</span></p></div></div></div>Fri, 13 Mar 2015 15:30:19 +0000jwinters8186 at http://www.bridgew.eduCooking Lesson (Video)http://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/cooking-lesson-video
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-11T00:00:00-04:00">March 11, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">What’s cooking at BSU? Professor <strong>Michael Kocet</strong>’s Culinary Therapy course for one thing.</span></p><p>The graduate-level class teaches students about the ways cooking and sharing a meal can bring people together.&nbsp;</p><p>Held in the kitchen of the Davis Alumni Center, this special hands-on session begins with a lecture by Dr. Kocet, associate professor of counselor education, but heats up pretty quickly thereafter.</p><p>That’s when he and the students put their knowledge to work. Check out the results and hear from Dr. Kocet and his students about just how comforting “comfort food” can be. (Video by Nicholas Allende, University News)</p><p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oDywCSSuHh0 " frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p></p></div></div></div>Wed, 11 Mar 2015 16:18:09 +0000jwinters8181 at http://www.bridgew.eduClimbing the ‘Summit’http://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/climbing-%E2%80%98summit%E2%80%99
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">News Feature</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-10T00:00:00-04:00">March 10, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The campus community came together to celebrate the recent successes of students of color at BSU. More than 100 students, faculty and staff filled the Dunn Conference Center to share in the proceedings.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>Jovan Taylor</strong>, vice president of the student organization Men Integrated in Brotherhood (MIB), welcomed the audience.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Your participation is critical in our progress and development,” he told the audience. “The purpose of this group is to give support, show respect, and create a sense of brotherhood for all men on campus.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The event, officially titled, “The Bridgewater State University Summit on Supporting Students of Color,” focused on exploring diversity on campus from a variety of different perspectives.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“As young men, we are trying to build a strong community and promote a strong culture of diversity” with the aim of increasing “the pride and build a family atmosphere for all men so we can grow mentally, physically and spiritually,” Mr. Taylor continued. MIB, he said, “represents not only ourselves but our families, friends, community and future generations . . . we are building a foundation through brotherhood and education.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;"><strong>President Dana Mohler-Faria</strong> followed Mr. Taylor to the podium and opened his remarks by tracing BSU’s efforts to promote diversity in the institution’s student body.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“It’s great to see so many people here this morning but not just the number of people but the diversity of people,” he said. “The fact that this university has turned itself in a way that even I didn’t expect would happen in this time frame. I arrived on this campus as a vice president in 1991, and when I attended my first commencement, where there were some 900 students receiving diplomas, I counted on one hand the number of students of color who passed by me as I sat on that stage. &nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“As time went on and I surveyed the campus, and subsequently came to understand Bridgewater’s history, it was clear to me – and it was clear to my predecessor, Dr. Adrian Tinsley – that things had to change.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The steps taken, according to the president, included, setting admissions goals for diversity and creating a campus climate welcome to students of color.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“We began to make good progress, but even as we brought more students of color to this campus, too many were not succeeding. Setting students up for failure would reverberate not only here but the entire commonwealth. We struggled with how to improve this,” the president said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">In 2002, when Dr. Mohler-Faria succeeded Dr. Tinsley as president, “we decided that this administration would have one singular focus: student success,” he said. Creating not only opportunity but also support for all students became BSU’s mission, the president explained.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“We searched for a way to lift everyone. We looked at students as our family, the people on whom we must focus. We knew we needed to create an environment base that speaks to student success based on respect and dignity for every single person. In that net, the hope was that we would capture everyone,” Dr. Mohler-Faria said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Credit, he added, “goes to our faculty, the men and women who teach our students and who do such superb work. I cannot tell you how much I admire all that you do, and how grateful I am to you. Your efforts made all of the difference in our success.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The success is in the numbers. Over the past 15 years, the number of Bridgewater freshmen who make the dean’s list rose to 32 percent from 13 percent. &nbsp;With that, graduation rates for this same group of students have risen dramatically. Perhaps most important, the retention rates and graduation rates of students of color have risen by an even higher percentage in that period.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The president’s comments were supported by statistics shared with the audience by <strong>Dr. Thomas Kling</strong> of the Department of Physics, who was a presenter at the summit as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Kling’s research showed that in 2012, for example, 80 percent of male students of color who start at BSU return the next year, compared to 75% of white male students.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Since 2010, men of color are performing as well or better than white men on most measures,” stated a panel developed by Dr. Kling.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">At present, approximately 45 percent of men of color graduate from Bridgewater within six years, compared to 25 percent of such men a decade ago. Some 55 percent of women of color graduate within six years, compared to 35 percent in 2001.</span></p><p>Following Dr. Mohler-Faria’s remarks, the program moved to its next phase, where BSU students and faculty who are members of BSU’s Acting for Justice Student Theater Troupe performed in small skits to portray instances involving racial sensitivity. Each skit was followed by discussions with the audience about the message conveyed.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Kling’s presentation – entitled “How Well is BSU Doing Supporting the Success of Males of Color” – was followed by small group discussions aimed at creating action plans in support of male students of color at BSU.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">As part of his opening address, Mr. Taylor also spoke of the progress he has made and thanked those who made it possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“I’ve been a part of MIB for three years and when I first became a member, I could never have imagined speaking in front of an audience such as this. I am grateful for the help and support I’ve received from our present members, alumni, faculty and staff and from our organization’s advisers.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">In planning the summit MIB members with BSU’s Office of Institutional Diversity. (Story and photos by David K. Wilson, ’71, University News)</span></p></div></div></div><div class="field-collection-container clearfix"><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-images field-type-field-collection field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Images:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Audience members at the summit</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/crMIBaudience.jpg" width="1123" height="846" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item odd"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Members of the Acting for Justice Student Theater Troupe</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/MIBgroup2.jpg" width="1830" height="1510" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div><div class="field-item even"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Professor Thomas Kling</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/MIBtk%20thomas%20kling.jpg" width="1363" height="1620" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 20:40:38 +0000jwinters8176 at http://www.bridgew.eduFrom the Lab to the Fieldhttp://www.bridgew.edu/news-events/news/lab-field
<div class="field field-name-field-news-article-type field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Event Coverage</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-date field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single" property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2015-03-06T00:00:00-05:00">March 6, 2015</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Teaching STEM with Biomimicry” was the theme of the 2015 CASE Conference held on campus. The half-day event included speakers, plenary sessions, and workshops, all dealing with nature’s role in STEM education and research.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math, and the conference brought together from across the region educators and scientists representing each discipline.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Green chemistry was one of the primary topics at the event, and keynote speaker John Warner discussed this at length during his address. He was introduced by <strong>Dr. Edward Brush</strong>, professor of chemistry at BSU and GreenLab Faculty Coordinator, as well as a longtime proponent of green chemistry.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Warner , who is president and chief technology officer of Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry, began his address by mentioning that his daughter attends BSU. However, he added, the connection is even deeper than that: The university was the first to sign up with the company’s Green Chemistry Committee, which will train Bridgewater faculty.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Not changing is the end of everything,” Dr. Warner said, referring to the necessity to move away from the use of harmful chemicals.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The field of green chemistry was created with two questions in mind, said Dr. Warner, “Why would chemist make a hazardous chemical? And how do we train chemists?”&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">The seeds for such questions date to Mr. Warner’s days as a music major at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, where he discovered a love for science after he one day tagged along with a friend to one of the school’s labs. Later, working in the field, he put it all together.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“All of a sudden an epiphany happened when I discovered what chemistry truly was,” said Dr. Warner. He’d discovered for himself that chemists were artists too. “Chemists created things. Chemists made things. Chemists used imagination. All my life I was told because I was marginally good at music there were two types of people, artists and scientists. There is actually commonality between the two,” he said.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Dr. Warner said the STEM conference was important because it represented a way to change the world and to help pave the way for a brighter, cleaner, and safer future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">“Why doesn’t every eighth-grade student say, “I want to be a chemist and save the world?”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 13.0080003738403px; line-height: 1.538em;">Speaking earlier in the day were Peter Lawrence, president and cofounder of Biomimicry New England Inc.; and Sam Stier, founding director of the Center for Learning with Nature. (Story and photo by Caitlin Seddon, University News)</span></p><p></p></div></div></div><div class="field-collection-container clearfix"><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-images field-type-field-collection field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Images:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="field-collection-view clearfix view-mode-full field-collection-view-final"><div class="field field-name-field-caption field-type-text field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Caption:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">John Warner</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-legacy-image field-type-image field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Image File:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="http://www.bridgew.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_images/DSC00745.JPG" width="5456" height="3632" alt="" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Fri, 06 Mar 2015 20:22:07 +0000jwinters8172 at http://www.bridgew.edu